pistols

markhawkman · June 2015

soooo.... how do you do one of those? I'm thinking about making a second character, but I have no experience playing anything but Grimoire.

flowcyto · June 2015

By pistols, I assume ya mean Munitions and not Gradgeteering pistols. If so, the builds are quite efficient and pretty straightforward as far as FF setups go.

Here's a basic one, though there's many different iterations ya could come up with in terms of the supporting stats or passives or whatnot. Also mostly outlines core powers and leaves the rest open:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Super Stats:
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Intelligence (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Invincible
Level 6: Field Ops Training
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Ascetic
Level 15: Academics
Level 18: Quick Recovery
Level 21: Negotiator

Powers:
Level 1: Gunslinger
Level 1: Two-Gun Mojo (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Killer Instinct
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Quarry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Holdout Shot (Stim Pack)
Level 17: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Lead Tempest (Rank 2, Tread Softly)
Level 23: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 26: Masterful Dodge
Level 29: Evasive Maneuvers (Sleight of Mind)
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

I put a potential threat wipe in there, since ya will be doing strong dps and may need one if ur not planning on tanking bosses.

W/ Quarry as the passive, ya want Int as a focus and thus also as an SS somewhere, so EGO/Int/Con, DEX/Int/Con, and INT/Dex/Con are all good SS choices for that. Quarry's Audacity gives ya enough Ego for KI to not necc need to SS it here.

W/o Quarry, taking an Ego-focus would be better for energy if still using Killer Instinct, so setups like EGO/Dex/Con or DEX/Ego/Con would work well for that. You'll have longer cd timers, but gear and certain spec options can remedy that a bit.

If ur using MSA instead of KI as the energy unlock, you can focus more on Int as well and can drop Ego entirely. Con SS is still recommended for the added health, esp if taking Ego Surge w/ Nimble Mind.

If making a tank build w/ Muni pistols, then a STR/Con/Ego setup works for using KI, or STR/Con/Int for using MSA. CON/Dex/Int_Ego could also work for a ranged tank (esp if ya make it dodge-based), but is likely going to be less dps.

FotT could also work as the toggle (instead of Conc)- more ideal if ur adding in some melee attacks (ala the Specialist AT), but then ya want to focus more on Dex over Ego or Int.

Guardicator is the safest bet for specs, but Avenger w/ Relentless Assault could also work well (in place of Guardian).

markhawkman · June 2015

Can you do it with an AT and not Freeform?

flowcyto · June 2015

Yeah, the Specialist is what ya want if its an AT. Not the best dmg, but it can be pretty tanky for a hybrid AT, and at least gets a (smaller) heal power in Stim Pack.

Ranged spec, w/ some leftover adv points for w/e ya want:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Super Stats:
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Ego (Secondary)
Level 15: Strength (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Specialist
Level 7: Covert Ops Training
Level 12: Quick Recovery
Level 15: Acrobat
Level 20: Ascetic
Level 25: Physical Conditioning
Level 30: Impresario

Powers:
Level 1: Gunslinger
Level 1: Blade Tempest
Level 6: Two-Gun Mojo (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Lightning Reflexes (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Bullet Beatdown (Rank 2, Not Without Incident)
Level 14: Form of the Tempest
Level 17: Eye of the Storm (Rank 2, Blade Beyond the Veil)
Level 21: Parry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 25: Breakaway Shot (Microfilament Wire)
Level 30: Holdout Shot (Rank 2, Stim Pack)
Level 35: Masterful Dodge
Level 40: Lead Tempest (Rank 2, Tread Softly)

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (3/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (2/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Guardian: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Guardian: Ruthless (2/2)
Guardian: Find the Mark (2/3)
Guardian: The Best Defense (3/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

Opted for MD (kept at R1) but if soloing or doing easier content ya can take R3 of Lock N Load instead.

markhawkman · June 2015

cool. thanks

markhawkman · July 2015

This is fun.

Bullet beatdown is a lot of fun on mini-bosses.

flowcyto · July 2015

Yea, BB is a cool ability and somewhat satisfying to defeat baddies with. Its a bit of an odd beast, but it can be potent if supported well (and the Specialist does a decent job of that- for an AT). The Specialist doesn't strictly need it as an attack, but I'm glad it was included in there as an option.

markhawkman · July 2015

yeah, it's very satisfying to use 2-gun Mojo as an enemy closes to melee range, then pound them into the ground once they get to melee range. Now if only I could make the gun attacks look like Infinity Bullet.

markhawkman · August 2015

so is there a way to change the look of the pistols you use? I know there are options for a few different shapes of guns, but I was hoping for something that doesn't look like a firearm and more like ki blasts or energy weapons.

flowcyto · August 2015

Not sure there's any models like that, but others may know if there's some.

carrionbaggage · August 2015

If you're looking for different weapon skins, kaizerin's costume thread gives a thorough rundown of unlockables. Most pistol unlocks are power replacers, and were removed with On Alert. They may be difficult to find. The Qularr Pistol skin (Alien Organic Pistol 1) looks the most like an "energy weapon" to me.

All Unlockable Costumes Link

Note that using a pistol skin only changes the gun's appearance. It does not affect the muzzle flash or sound effect of the shots. To change those, you actually have to keep the power replacer equipped, which will typically cause a significant reduction to your damage output.

If you picked up the Imaginary Handguns from FoxbatCon, you can use those in combination with certain hand and/or bracer options for some interesting looks.

markhawkman · August 2015

Hunh... interesting... didn't think of that. Guess I have a reason to look forward to next Foxbatcon.

thanks.

markhawkman · March 2016

Hmm... good think I looked this up, it's Foxbatcon and time to get those imaginary pistols.

But the main reason is because of the free mandatory respec. Apparently the levels you get all the skills changed, not sure if any of the skills themselves changed. How does that change the build?

I'm currently at 18... still... working on leveling since I kinda need to go to places with level 28 or so enemies as part of Foxbatcon. But I find myself doing a lot of melee with the skills now available. Form of the Tempest is a nice combination of attack and defense, though it does little damage once you're past 1/3 on the maintain. Also, I have the heal power now, it's pretty cool really.

markhawkman · March 2016

stats:
Spec:
Combat Training 3
Gear utilization 2
deadly aim 2
Quick Reflexes 2

Gunslinger 1
Holdout Shot 2 + Stim pack
Lightning reflexes 3
Form of the Tempest 1
Eye of the Storm 2
Blade Tempest 1
Strike Down 1
Acrobatics 1

That's what I set things to based on half-formed memories of what I wanted the character to do. O-o'

flowcyto · March 2016

Specialist has been revised and its pretty different now. Now TGM is very costly to afford, and ya have to give up much to be able to sue it regularly. Now ya can also choose between going more dps vs. more tank oriented w/ diff passives, and ya can pick between better melee and ranged options.

I'd recommend looking up recent threads here on the Specialist that discuss some of this stuff. W? that AT, what sort of specs or gearing etc to get really will depend what routes/focii you want to put on it.

markhawkman · March 2016

hmm... after looking around I'm not sure which threads would be most informative. Do you have a recommendation?

flowcyto · March 2016

A bit of info regarding TGM (for FF builds, but the info there can also apply to any Specialist trying to use TGM):

http://www.arcgames.com/en/forums/championsonline/#/discussion/1204487/specialist-build-suggestions-mixed-melee-range

Specialist threads:
http://www.arcgames.com/en/forums/championsonline/#/discussion/1204487/specialist-build-suggestions-mixed-melee-range
http://www.arcgames.com/en/forums/championsonline/#/discussion/1204618/i-need-help-with-the-specialist-please

markhawkman · March 2016

So I now have to choose between Bullet Beatdown and 2GM? oooh.... that's a hard choice. I think I might go with BB though.

markhawkman · March 2016

I gotta say imaginary pistols was a great choice for a character who thematically doesn't actually use firearms and is really just focusing energy powers in a similar way.

flowcyto · March 2016

BB is easier to build around now, vs. TGM. Basically just make sure you also have Burst Shot's Furious-granting adv and get Nw/oI adv on BB to do good dmg w/ it. Get Stim Pack on Holdout Shot for healing. Else, most of the rest just depends how much ya wanna focus on dps vs. survival, and melee vs. ranged.

markhawkman · March 2016

Well, after a bit more tinkering, I definitely want at least one good ranged and one good melee. You never know when you'll encounter enemies that want to run in terror. my current setup doesn't deal with them well.

flowcyto · March 2016

Having to edit a PTS build, since the AT's latest iteration isn't on the Planner yet:

Assumed template:

- Level 1: Gunslinger
- Level 1: Burst Shot or Blade Tempest
- Level 6: Holdout Shot
- Level 8: Lightning Reflexes or Way of the Warrior
- Level 11: Form of the Tempest
- Level 14: Eye of the Storm
- Level 17: Breakaway Shot or Strike Down
- Level 21: Two Gun Mojo or Bullet Beatdown
- Level 25: Killer Instinct or Steadfast
- Level 30: Parry
- Level 35: Lock n Load or Masterful Dodge
- Level 40: Lead Tempest or Sword Cyclone

Of these I'd prob go this route:

- Level 1: Gunslinger
- Level 1: Burst Shot (R2 + Taking Names)
- Level 6: Holdout Shot (R2 + Stim Pack)
- Level 8: Lightning Reflexes or Way of the Warrior (R3 for either)
- Level 11: Form of the Tempest
- Level 14: Eye of the Storm (R3 or R2+BBtV)
- Level 17: Strike Down (maybe get NttG)
- Level 21: Bullet Beatdown (R2 + Nw/oI + BtT)
- Level 25: Killer Instinct
- Level 30: Parry (rank as desired)
- Level 35: Lock n Load or Masterful Dodge (don't rank MD, do rank LnL)
- Level 40: Lead Tempest (R3 or R2 + dodge adv)

The choices of the passive and AD vs AO are up to you, since either can be good for the AT (depending on ur priorities). Burst Shot and/or LT can help you deal w/ enemies at range. Their per-target dps isn't great, but the only high dps ranged attack the Specialist has is TGM, and ya either have to build around affording its very high energy cost now, or have to pick BB over it.

markhawkman · March 2016

Ah, I see, thanks.

markhawkman · March 2016

so what's the difference between Acrobatics and Athletics?

flowcyto · March 2016

The running animation is different; mechanically there's no difference. iirc, for Acrobatics you run w/ ur arms back, 'ninja-style', and Athletics looks more like a heavy sprint.

markhawkman · March 2016

ah, I see, I kinda like the way you do those weird flips and spins with acrobatics.

markhawkman · April 2016

So what weapon options are there for energy blades? The thread link Carrion posted is broke.

flowcyto · April 2016

I'm unsure what you mean. The weapon skin options? I'm not up to date on those. But I do recall a few tech-style blades that kinda looked like the standard Laser Sword, but smaller and not as much of a lightsaber ripoff :x

markhawkman · April 2016

anything that isn't an antique power replacer would be cool.

markhawkman · April 2016

Hehe, I ended up going with the Foxbat invisible melee. It leaves an energy trail effect that looks like I'm using psi powers.

markhawkman · July 2016

Soo... any thoughts on tweaking this as a FF char? I'm currently using the second one from your last post.

flowcyto · July 2016

Depends on if ya want any of the basic attacks changed, or just the 2 free power slots added on and better stat selection. The Specialist is good, but has many potentially redundant attacks. Which attacks are you currently liking or using the most?

markhawkman · July 2016

I was using a mix of gun and sword attacks. Gunslinger worked nicely as an EB. Burst Shot made a decent ranged attack. Holdout shot as a heal was good. Loved EotS. Strike Down was a great way to get in stabbing range. I sometimes used BB, mostly on big targets when the small fry were dead.

flowcyto · July 2016

Okay, here's one way to build that:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Dexterity (Primary)
Level 10: Intelligence (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Covert Ops Training
Level 9: Acrobat
Level 12: Healthy Mind
Level 15: Coordinated
Level 18: Quick Recovery
Level 21: Impresario

Powers:
Level 1: Gunslinger
Level 1: Burst Shot (r2, Taking Names)
Level 6: Holdout Shot (Stim Pack)
Level 8: Form of the Tempest
Level 11: Lightning Reflexes (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Eye of the Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Bullet Beatdown (Rank 2, Not Without Incident)
Level 23: Thunderbolt Lunge
Level 26: Parry (Rank 2)
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Dexterity: Combat Training (2/3)
Dexterity: Gear Utilization (3/3)
Dexterity: Deadly Aim (3/3)
Dexterity: Expose Weakness (2/2)
Warden: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Warden: Ruthless (2/2)
Warden: Elusive (2/2)
Warden: The Best Defense (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Dexterity Mastery (1/1)

Can replace Thunderbolt lunge w/ Strikedown if ya want. Last 2 power slots can be w/e ya want. Gears mostly for Dex and Con. Since its using Dex mastery it doesn't need to gear for severity rating.

markhawkman · July 2016

cool, thanks.

markhawkman · July 2016

so what rez powers are there? It occurred to me that it would kinda work on this char.

flowcyto · July 2016

For a self-res, I'd get Rebirth, though CoRG works fine if ya can stay in/near the circle. For ally reses, I'd prob just take Redemption w/ its AoE adv, though if ya can't afford any adv points in the res then Res Serum in Gadgetering reses an ally w/ the most health at baseline.

markhawkman · July 2016

Hmm... that sounds useful.

markhawkman · January 2017

soo... several of the things used in this build are getting updated soon, most notably BB will be pure melee. The current Superstat choices are dex/con/int, but my main damage is(or will be) melee, would dex/con/str be good?

secondaries are armadillo.

are those mod choices good?

flowcyto · January 2017

I'd prob keep SS's as is, since Dex scales up FotT and Int scales up MSA. You already have Str near its soft-cap (of 70) for melee dmg anyways.

Minimap Radius on utility? huh.. I'd get cd reduction prob, assuming you don't have many energy issues as is. Also would prob replace the 2ndary SS mod in the offense piece for a gambler's (crit%).

markhawkman · January 2017

I just like being able to see enemies on the map. But I might get the Heroic gear that does the same thing, then use 3 mods. minimap cores are irreplaceable, ancient relics, so I'm definitely keeping it somewhere.

Hmm....
Merc Helmet of efficiency... I was going to compare the two, but I need to find the full stats.

markhawkman · January 2017

Soo... I wanted to compare options.... I started by looking in game and thinking about typing a list... then I thought "we have a wiki for this" but the wiki didn't have a summary.... past tense.

http://www.championswiki.com/index.php?title=Heroic_Gear

So... options... made an even more condensed list:

Heroic Breastplate of Defense +48 Defense
probably not

Heroic Breastplate of Agility +139 Avoidance
maybe...

Heroic Breastplate of Freedom +46 Crowd /control Resist
nope

Heroic Breastplate of Elusiveness +139 Dodge
maybe...

Heroic Breastplate of Greater Health +679 Health
nope, maybe if it was Con....

Only two def options that look good, avoidance or dodge

Heroic Gloves of Growth +23 Primary SS
too weak

Heroic Gloves of Healing +28% Healing
not that big a healer

Heroic Gloves of Offense +67 Offense
maybe...

Heroic Gloves of Piercing +4.6 Crit Severity
maybe...

Heroic Gloves of Precision +95 Crit Strike
maybe...

Base offense of these is lower, so maybe offense with con and int mods and gambler? hmm which gives a higher total? *looks it up* gambler's is CritStrike and needs to be at level 7 or higher to give a better bonus than Precision, which is doable. The same is true of offense and impact prism though.

Heroic Helmet of Efficiency +93 Cost Discount
maybe...

Heroic Helmet of Energy +14 Max Energy
nope. not a big help

Heroic Helmet of Speed +93 CD Reduction
maybe...

Heroic Helmet of Topography +139 Minimap Radius
maybe...

Heroic Helmet of Utility +46 CD Reduction and Cost Discount
maybe...

So.. topography, or one of 3 options for improved CDs or costs, not sure which is best. Most of my moves don't have long CDs, but I don't need a lot of reduction either. Maybe balance? Which means using the mod, since I can't add a mod that boosts both.

flowcyto · February 2017

W/o Dex Mastery and w/o using a Depleted Uranium Core, usually I'd get one severity rating bonus in offense gear, and at least one crit rating boost. Severity rating (not flat% like from specs) diminishes pretty harshly.

Similar thing w/ Avoidance defensively- it'll diminish heavily, and esp if ur using LR already. W/ LR builds, I'd skip Avoidance rating entirely and either double up on dodge% or get more maxHP or defense.

If you're unsure about utility, I may just go w/ the gear that boosts both cost discount and cd reduction evenly.

markhawkman · February 2017

ok, so, more dodge, and probably balance for uti.

So you said w/o dex mastery... this character DOES have dex mastery. what then? oh wait... you said this earlier: Since its using Dex mastery it doesn't need to gear for severity rating.

So skip crit sev and go for crit chance instead?

flowcyto · February 2017

Yea, I'd pass on severity rating for Dex Mastery. Either get more crit, or consider 1x crit and a bonus heal mod to bump up any self-healing or shielding (like from EotS).

markhawkman · February 2017

oh, the healing boost boosts self-shielding too? didn't know that.

markhawkman · February 2017

so, what do you think of using impact prisms for the off and def slots?

flowcyto · February 2017

You can take that approach if you want, but just have at least one critical strike rating boost in there somewhere.

markhawkman · February 2017

currently that would be the inherent boost from the Precision gloves.

flowcyto · February 2017

Alright, well if ur char sheet's listed crit is still around 29-30% then you could prob go a bit higher. Not counting flat boosts like Ego PSS's 6th Sense, the DR kicks in hard around early-mid 30's in %age, iirc. So maybe one more crit rating mod.

markhawkman · February 2017

I should post an updated sheet..

So yeah, CritC is now 33%.

I didn't change the Utility item yet.

pistols

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